Garbage disintegrator rotor with an automatic release clutch



March 1961 G. J. FEDERIGHI ETAL 2,973,910

GARBAGE DISINTEGRATOR ROTOR WITH AN AUTOMATIC RELEASE CLUTCH Filed Feb. 16, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 1 IlEl- 34 35 A/ 5'30 ,.I G A 49 26 g 7 lllH HI 2 No A HW' H I 1m A 11 4s 5 2 I 22 D x v in E INVENTORS GEORGE J FEDERIGHI L TOREI H- NOREN I I ATTORNEYS March 7, 1961 G. J. FEDERIGHI ETAL 2,973,910

GARBAGE DISINTEGRATOR ROTOR WITH AN AUTOMATIC RELEASE CLUTCH Filed Feb. 16, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 :El [3.1 a.

' INVENTORS GEQRGE J- FEDERIGHI TORE H. NOREN 'lElE-ll El- BY L M ATTORNEY GARBAGE DISINTEGRATOR ROTOR WITH AN AUTOMATIC RELEASE CLUTCH George Joseph Federighi and Tore H. Noren, both of 333 11th St., San Francisco, Calif. I

Filed Feb. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 793,545

5 Claims. (Cl. 241-257) In conventional garbage disintegrators now on the market, a stator is provided with stationary cutting blades, and a rotor is rotatably mounted in the stator. This rotor has cutting knives thereon, which coact with the cutting knives on the stator for comminuting garbage descending through the disintegrator. The rotor has considerable weight and is turned by a motor at a relativel high speed. The motor is controlled by a magnetic switch having overload heaters which are intended to open the switch when the motor is overloaded.

However, it has been found in actual practice that when silverware, or other metallic articles, are accidentally fed into the disintegrator, the momentum of the rotor will cause the rotor or the stator to break before the motor stops turning. This momentum, as measured by the product of the mass of the rotor by its velocity, is too great for the magnetic switch to open and stop rotation of the rotor before the damage is done.

As a cardinal object of our invention, we propose to make the rotor in two parts, one consisting of a rotatably mounted driving part which is operatively connected to a motor shaft for rotation thereby, and the other consisting of a driven'part that is supported for rotation by the driving part. These two parts constitute a friction clutch in which the driven part is rotated by frictional engagemnet with the driving part. The driven part is provided with cutting blades for comminuting the garbage, and the driving part is rotatable relative to the driven part when the latter becomes jammed. Thus, when the driven part is jammed, the driving part will slip relative thereto, preventing the rotor or the stator from being damaged.

Another object is to provide adjustable means for varying the amount of friction between the driving and driven parts, thereby determining the point at which the driving part will commence to rotate relative to the driven part.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues. The novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims. l

Drawings:

For a better understanding of our invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of our garbage disintegrator rotor with an automatic release clutch; 1

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the same rotor dis- States Figure 8 is a top plan view of a clamping plate which is securable to the motor shaft for holding a collar in v the plane 99 of Figure 8; l

closing it as being mounted in a conventional garbage ing partof the friction adjusting means;

Figure 10is atop plan view of a collar that is adapted to be threaded onto a tubular sleeve of the driving part of the rotor; a I Figure 11 is an elevational view of the collar, a portion being shown in section, the section being taken along the plane 11-11 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of a spring washer which forms part of the friction adjusting means; and

Figure 1 3 is a plan view of an upper fiber ring that is interposed between lower and upper metallic rings of the friction adjusting means.

While we have shown only the preferred form of our invention, it should be understood that various changes; or modifications, may be made within the scope ofthe annexed claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

Detailed description: Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, we have shown a central portion of a conventional garbage disintegrator which includes an upper feed housing A mounted on top of a stator B. The latter has a plurality of stationary cutting knives 10 mounted therein. The stator defines a downwardly converging conical-shaped opening 11 in which a rotor C is mounted for rotation by a motor D. The garbage descends through the feed housing A and the opening 11 of the stator B; and after being comminuted by the rotor C, the particles of garbage are discharged through a passageway 12 to the sewer. r

In its structural details, the rotor C defines a driving part C and a driven part C These two parts constitute a friction clutch E in which the driven part C is rotated by frictional engagement with the driving part C (see Figure 3). The driven part C is provided with cutting blades 14, which coact with the stationary knives 10 comminuting the garbage. In the event that the driven part C should become jammed, for instance by 'silver-.

. part C to rotatev or slip relative to the-driven part C As disclosed in Figures 3 to 5, inclusive, the driving part C has a cylindrical hub 15 provided with a substantially annular flange 16 projecting outwardly from the hub. The flange 16 has an upper surface 17 on which a lower fiber ring F is placed (see Figures 3, 5 and 6). This fiber ring has an opening 18 formed therein so as to receive the hub 15. Thus the fiber ring F surrounds the hub 15 and rests on the upper surface 17 of the flange.

Moreover, the driving part C has a tubular sleeve 19 fixed to its hub 15 to project upwardly therefrom. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the motor D has its shaft .20 extending upwardly into the bore 19" of thetubular sleeve 19 and secured to the latter by a key 21. Thus 7 the driving part C is rotated whenever the motor shaft 20 is turning.

Referring now to the driven part C it has a stepped bore extending upwardly therethrough from its base 22. This bore defines a lower portion 23, a smaller intermediate portion 24, and a stillsmaller upper portion 25 (see Figure 3). As clearly shown, the annular flange 16 is accommodated in the lower bore portion 23; the hub.

1'5 fits into the intermediate bore portion'24; and the tubular sleeve 19 extends upwardly through the upper bore portion 2 5 and above the top 26 of the driven part C I i i:

It. will be noted that an annular ledge 21 isprovided I Patented Mar. 7, 1961 between the bore portions 23 and 24, and this ledge frictionally rests on the lower fiber ring F. The driven part C is supported for gravitating toward the driving part C whereby the driving part C will rotate the driven part C by the frictional clutch E.

For the purpose of varying the amount of friction between the driving and driven parts C and C respectively, and thereby determining the point at which the driving part will commence to rotate or slip relative to the driven part, we provide friction adjusting means designated generally at G, the details of which will now be set forth.

As shown in Figure 3, a lower metallic ring 28 is disposed to surround the tubular sleeve 19 above the driven part C and is secured to the latter by countersunk screws 29. Also an upper metallic ring 30 is telescoped over the tubular sleeve 19, and it is provided with a key 31 (see Figures 3 and 7) which is dimensioned to project into a vertical keyway 32 formed in the exterior surface of the sleeve 19 (see Figures 3 and Thus the ring 30 is caused to rotate with the sleeve.

It will be apparent from Figure 3 that the metallic rings 28 and 30 are mounted in parallel and spaced relation with one another. An upper fiber ring 33 is interposed between these metallic rings so as to surround the sleeve 19 (see Figures 2, 3 and 13). Next, a convexed spring washer 34 is placed over the tubular sleeve 19 so as to bear against the upper metallic ring 30 (see Figures 1, 2, 3 and 12). Immediately above the spring washer 34, a collar 35 is adjustably screwed onto lefthand threads on the tubular sleeve 19 (see Figures 2, 3, l0 and 11). This collar bears against the spring washer 34, and it may be tightened so as to urge the metallic rings 28 and 30 into the desired frictional engagement with the upper fiber ring 33, whereby the latter constitutes a further frictional clutch E between the driving and driven parts C and C respectively.

Obviously, when the collar 35 is screwed down on the tubular sleeve 19, the driven part C will be forced toward the driving part C so as to grip the lower fiber ring F more tightly. Thus the weight of the driven part C and the tightening of the collar 35 both contribute to the amount of friction existing between the driven and driving parts.

In order to hold the collar 35 in adjusted position, we provide a locking plate H. The latter is provided with a disc 36 at its top that overlies the collar 35. A cylindrical hub 37 is formed integral with the disc 36, and is dimensioned to extend downwardly in the bore 19' of the tubular sleeve 19. As illustrated in Figure 3, a set-screw 38 extends downwardly through the locking plate H and is threaded into the motor shaft 20. When this set-screw is tightened, the locking plate H will turn with the motor shaft. The head on the screw 38 bears against the top of the disc 36.

It will be observed that a plurality of lugs 39 are formed integral with the collar 35 so as to project thereabove. These lugs extend into notches 40 fashioned in the periphery of the disc 36. Prior to inserting the setscrew 38 in place, a spanner wrench (not shown) may be engaged with openings 41 in the disc 36 so as to r0- tate the locking plate H. When this is done, the lugs 39 and the notches 40 will coact to cause the collar 35 to turn relative to the tubular sleeve 19 so as to apply the desired amount of pressure against the spring washer 34. Upon inserting the set-screw 38 through the bore 42 of the locking plate H and then tightening this screw into the motor shaft 20, the locking plate H will retain the collar 35 from rotating with respect to the tubular sleeve 19.

With particular reference to Figure 3, it will be seen that the driven part C projects peripherally beyond the driving part C and downwardly at least to the bottom 43 of the driving part C Moreover, the driving part is provided with spaced peripheral bearings 44 which contact with the circular wall of the lower bore portions 23 (see Figure 4). Also, the driving part C has peripheral recesses 45 formed between the adjacent bearings 44 to prevent the driving and driven parts from sticking together over an extended period of time.

The fiber ring F prevents scoring of the upper surface 17 of the driving part C and the ledge 27 of the driven part C when the former turns relative to the latter. At least one passageway or groove 46 is formed in the ledge 27 for conveying water from the garbage to lubricate frictional surfaces of the driving and driven parts C and C respectively (see Figures 3 and 4). We have shown four of these passageways 46, which will communicate with the peripheral recesses 45 to receive water from the latter, when the driving part C is rotated relative to the driven part C As disclosed in Figure 3.

' the outer periphery 47 of the lower fiber ring F is spaced from the wall of the lower bore portion 23 to allow the water to by-pass this fiber ring.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the driven part C has a frusto-conical shaped upper surface 48 which is designed to cause the incoming garbage to gravitate toward the stator B. Also, the cutting blades 14 on the driven part C are removably secured to lugs 49 by setscrews 5%, these lugs being formed integral with the part C The rotor C is turned in the direction of the arrow 51 (see Figure 1), and the comminuted particles of garbage pass downwardly through inclined notches 52 fashioned in the periphery of the driven part C so as to enter the passageway 12 for discharge. These structural features of the part C are conventional in the art.

in actual practice, the driven part C may be made lighter in weight than the driving part C Thus, when the part C becomes jammed by silverware, or the like, it may be brought to a standstill without appreciable delay. At the same time, the heavier part C may continue to be turned by the motor D, rotating relative to the jammed part C As previously mentioned, the friction adjusting means G may be adjusted so as to determine the point at which the driving part C will commence to turn with respect to the driven part C Thus the stator B and the rotor C will not be damaged when the part C becomes jammed.

We claim:

1. In a garbage disintegrator rotor with an automatic release clutch: a rotatably mounted driven part operatively connected to a motor shaft for rotation thereby, and being rotatable about a vertical axis; the driving part having a cylindrical hub provided with an annular flange projecting outwardly from a lower portion of the hub; this flange having an upper surface; a lower fiber ring surrounding the hub and resting on the upper surface of the flange; a rotatably mounted driven part having a base; the driven part having a stepped bore extending upwardly therethrough from its base; this bore defining an enlarged lower portion, a smaller intermediate portion, and a still smaller upper portion; the stepped bore defining an annular ledge between its lower and intermediate portions; said ledge frictionally resting on the lower fiber ring to provide a friction clutch between the driving and driven parts; the driven part being supported for free gravitating toward the driving part; the hub and flange of the driving part being accommodated in the intermediate and lower portions, respectively, of the stepped bore to thereby protect them against direct contact with garbage descending around the driven part; the driving part being rotatable through complete rotations relative to the driven part when the latter becomes jammed by the garbage; the driving part having a tubular sleeve fixed to its hub and projecting upwardly through the upper portion of the stepped bore to a position above the driven part; and friction adjusting means secured to the upper portion of the tubular sleeve, and being operable for varying the amount of friction of said clutch, thereby determining the point at which the driving part will commence to rotate relative to the driven part; said friction adjusting means being accessible for adjustment from a position above the driven part and constituting a further friction clutch.

2. The garbage disintegrator with an automatic release clutch, as defined in claim 1; and in which a locking plate'is removably secured by a set-screw to the motor shaft; the locking plate interengaging with said friction adjusting means to hold the latter in adjusted position, when the locking plate is held by the set-screw from turning relative to the motor shaft.

3. In a garbage disintegrator rotor with an automatic release clutch: a rotatably mounted driving part operatively connected to a motor shaft for rotation thereby, and beinglrotatable about a vertical axis; a rotatably mounted driven part disposed above and being supported on the driving part; said parts constituting a friction clutch in which the driven part is rotated by frictional engagement with the driving part; the driven part being provided with cutting blades disposed to strike garbage descending around the driven part; the driving part being rotatable through complete rotations relative to the driven part when the latter becomes jammed by the garbage; the driven part being supported for free gravitation toward the driving part to thereby provide friction for said clutch; and frictional adjusting means provided for varying the amount of friction between the driving and driven parts, and thereby determining the point at which the driving part will commence to rotate relative to the driven part; said friction adjusting means being accessible for adjustment from a position above the driven part without disassembly of the rotor; the driven part projecting peripherally beyond the driving part and downwardly at least to the bottom of the driving part to thereby protect the driving part against direct contact by the descending garbage.

4; In a garbage disintegrator rotor with an automatic release clutch: a rotatably mounted driving part operatively connected to a motor shaft for rotations thereby, and being rotatable about a vertical axis; a rotatably mounted driven part disposed above and being supported on the driving part; said parts constituting a friction clutch in which the driven part is rotated by frictional engagement with the driving part; the driven part being provided with cutting blades disposed to strike garbage descending around the driven part; the driving part being rotatable through complete rotations relative to the driven the driving part to thereby provide friction for said clutch; and friction adjusting means provided for varying the amount of friction between the driving and driven parts,

and thereby determining the point at which the driving part will commence to rotate relative to the driven part; a i

said friction adjusting means being accessible for adjustment from a position above the driven part without disassembly of the rotor; the driving part being provided with spaced peripheral bearings which contact with the driven part; the driving part having peripheral recesses formed between the adjacent bearings of the driving part to prevent said parts from sticking together over an extended period of time. t

5. In a garbage disintegrator rotor with an automatic release clutch: a rotatably mounted driving part operatively connected to a motor shaft for rotation thereby, and being rotatable about a vertical axis; a rotatably mounted driven part disposed above and being supported on the driving part; said parts constituting a friction clutch in which the driven part is rotated by frictional engage-' ment with the driving part; the driven part being provided with cutting blades disposed to strike garbage descending around the driven part; the driving part being rotatable through complete rotations relative to the driven part when the latter becomes jammed by the garbage; the driven part being supported for free gravitating toward the driving part to thereby provide friction for said Y clutch; and frictional adjusting means povided for varying the amount of friction between the driving and driven parts, and thereby determining the point at which the driving part will commence to rotate relative to the driven part; said frictional adjusting means being accessible for adjustment from a position above the driven part without disassembly of the rotor; at'least one passageway being provided between the driving and driven parts; said passageway being disposed for conveying water from the garbage to lubricate frictional surfaces of the driving and driven parts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED. STATES PATENTS Bebinger May 17, 1959, a 

